Offices and Services

Child/Youth Training

As part of the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People, the Archdiocese of Chicago requires its parishes and schools to provide valuable training in sexual abuse prevention to children and youth in schools and programs annually. This important training is designed to educate children and youth on how to recognize and report abuse, and are age-appropriate, research-based and straightforward. It’s important to note that the below programs are not sex education courses, rather sexual abuse prevention training that encourages children/youth to disclose abuse, neglect or any troubling information to a safe adult, particularly their parent(s).
 

Current Programs

  • Praesidium's Called to Protect A comprehensive safe environment program for K-12th grade exclusively for Catholic parents, youth and children.
  • VIRTUS Teaching Touching Safety A program through which parents, teachers, catechists, youth ministers and other educators give children and young people the tools they need to protect themselves.
  • National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Kids Smartz  (not to be confused with Netsmartz) A child safety program that educates families on preventing abduction and empowers kids in grades K-5 to practice safer behaviors. Information and materials can be downloaded for free here.
  • RCL Benziger's Family Life Program A K-8 religious education program that develops better communication skills and healthy family relationships.
  • Child Lures Prevention's Think First & Stay Safe Adult Training and Youth Curriculum, for Grades PreK-6. (2018 edition, Evidence-based, 5-7 short Lessons per year, with Faith Formation)
    A comprehensive safe environment program that provides educators, DREs and parents/guardians with the knowledge & tools needed to teach children to stay safe from sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, drugs, abduction and online exploitation. Builds on skill set each year. (Includes take-home student handouts, DRE/Educator Training Modules & online Training Modules for Parents and Guardians.) Think First & Stay Safe PARENT GUIDE and/or Student Workbook for Grades 3-6 (20 pp.) available for additional purchase, optional. 
    To preview curriculum components online, email [email protected]
  • Teen Lures TV Newscast Youth Curriculum, for Grades 7-12. (2018 edition, Evidence-based, 3 Student Newscasts per year, with Faith Formation complement) 
    An innovative program: teenagers actively participate in peer teaching via Student Anchor-led Newscasts (5 min.) followed by DRE/Educator-led discussion. Comprehensively addresses healthy relationships, consent and prevention of sexual assault, dating violence, harassment, sexting, bullying/cyberbullying, identity theft, online luring, suicide, human trafficking and more. Includes take-home student handouts. Let's Talk Teens parent handbook (20 pp) available for additional purchase, optional.
    To preview curriculum components online, email [email protected]